416 ENGLISH ATiBORlCVLTURAL SOCIETY. [Nov. 



Sir William Armstrong, through Mr. Bertram, for kindly giving 

 them permission to view the beauties of Cragside. 



Since Sir William entered into possession of the grounds, some 

 twenty-one years ago, about 1400 acres have been planted, and 

 during the last three years on an average 250 acres per annum have 

 been put under M'ood. Some idea of the extent of the operations 

 may be gathered from the fact that last season one firm alone — 

 William Fell & Co., Hexham — supplied 300,000 transplanted 

 Scotch firs, while 10,000 rhododendrons were planted recently 

 from the famous Derbyshire nurseries. 



The success which has been achieved at Cragside in the cultiva- 

 tion of forest and ornamental trees is no doubt attributable to the 

 superior judgment and skill manifested by Sir William, supported 

 by his manager Mr. Bertram, in the selection of plants and trees 

 suited to the soil and climate, and in the careful planting of the 

 same. Everything seemed to be growing vigorously, including the 

 Turkey oak recently planted by the Prince of Wales. 



The party then returned to the village, where they partook of 

 a capital dinner, served at Mr. Lawson's Queen's Head Hotel. 

 Mr. T. P. Dods, vice-president, presided, and Mr. Davidson acted 

 as croupier. Amongst those present were — Mr. T. P. Dods, 

 Hexham ; Mr. W. Fell, Hexham ; Mr. J. Pt. Brown, Hexham ; 

 Mr. M. Jewitt, Healey ; Mr. Edw. Jewitt, Healey ; Mr. Watt 

 (Messrs. Little and Ballantyne) and Mrs. Watt, Carlisle ; Mr. 

 Havelock, Hexham ; Mr. John Luke, Hexham ; Mr. J. W, Eobson, 

 Hexham ; Mr. J. Smith, Haydon Bridge ; IVIr. Bowmaker, Naworth 

 Estate Offices ; Mr. Barnard Cowen, Westoe, South Shields ; Mr. and 

 Mrs. Doughty, Canonbie ; Mr. J. Wilson, Leazes Park, Newcastle ; 

 Mr, Wn]. Fleming, Tudhoe, Durham ; Mr. D. Smith, Berwick ; Mr. 

 Dodd, Blagdon ; Mr. Macdouald, Office of Forestry, Edinburgh ; Mr. 

 Bertram, Cragside ; Mr. Elliott, Jesmond Dene, Newcastle ; Mr. 

 Gilbert, Blagdon ; JMr. H. Hudson, Cragside ; and the secretary 

 (Mr. J. Davidson, Haydon Bridge). The dinner over, the Chairman 

 proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were duly 

 honoured. 



Mr. Watt then proposed the health of Sir William Armstrong, to 

 whom all present were so much indebted — a toast which was drunk 

 with enthusiasm. 



Mr. T. P. Dods proposed " Our noble selves — the English Arbori- 

 cultural Society." He must say that two years ago, when their 

 secretary (Mr. Davidson) spoke about setting the Society afloat, he 

 was very doubtful about the project ; and yet, from that time, they 

 now numbered 120 members. He need not say that a great deal 

 of that success was due to the energy with which Mr. Davidson had 



